New charges of extremism against Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia

The Russian Supreme Court rules against a website and three books used by the community. The latter talk about God and how to lead a happy life. The sect, which is one of the most ill-treated religious minorities in the former Soviet Union, continues to face legal problems.

Moscow
(AsiaNews) - Russia's Supreme Court has ruled that a website and
three books by the Jehovah's Witnesses are extremist, the court's press service
told the Russian Legal Information (RAPSI) agency.

Jehovah's Witnesses have faced many legal problems in Russia. In
January, a court in Kurgan in the Urals decided to ban the organisation's
booklets as extremist. The books talk about how to lead a happy life, what one
can hope for, how to develop good relations with God and what one should know
about God and its meaning.

In late December 2013, the leader of the sect's group in Tobolsk,
Siberia, was charged with extremism and the prevention of a blood transfusion
that nearly led to the death of a female member of the group.

In 2004, a court in Moscow dissolved and banned a Jehovah's Witnesses
group on charges of recruiting children, encouraging believers to break from
their families, inciting suicide and preventing believers from accepting
medical assistance.

In 2010, the European Court of Human Rights overturned that court ruling
and ruled that Russia should pay 70,000 euros to the defendants.

Jehovah's Witnesses are among the former Soviet Union's most ill-treated
religious minorities.

Scattered across
the Russian Federation, the 200,000-strong
community have been accused of sectarianism, "religious
extremism", "incitement to social isolation" and behaviours that
undermine societal harmony.

Russian
authorities also object to the Witnesses' practice of conscientious objection, opposition
to military service, refusal to use weapons, hostility to blood transfusions
and the claim made on community members for total devotion. (N/A.)

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New charges of extremism against Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia North Asia Russia The Russian Supreme Court rules against a website and three books used by the community. The latter talk about God and how to lead a happy life. The sect, which is one of the most ill-treated religious minorities in the former Soviet Union, continues to face legal problems.

11/12/2009 RUSSIAThe Supreme Court confirms: Jehovah's Witnesses outlawed in RostovUpheld a ruling passed in September by the provincial court of the city on the Black Sea. Communities in the cities of Taganrog, Neklinov Matveeva and Kurgan-can no longer carry out activities and must withdraw. 34 publications banned for "extremist content" and property confiscated. Jehovah's Witnesses are turning to the European Court.

05/10/2009 RUSSIAAltai court condemns Jehovah’s Witnesses for “extremism”Some of the group’s publications are blamed for inciting religious confrontation. Jehovah’s Witnesses respond saying the texts in question are distributed in 200 countries around the world. The Altai court ruling is like one handed down in Rostov in mid-September. Similar trials are underway before other Russian courts.

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